Behind on Many Things . . .

including posting to my blog. This has been a busy few weeks with finishing up the semester, working on a grant proposal, trying to get ready for Christmas, etc. Last week we were also out in schools surveying students all 5 days! In addition, I was really sick with a chest cold last week; unfortunately I'm still experiencing a lingering cough that annoys the heck out of me. I'm so behind on so many things.

I'm looking forward to some down time, but unfortunately will have to work on the grant proposal next week. It is due soon - WWWAAAYYYY TOOOOO SOOOON in fact! I do plan to relax some though.

On a good note, however, my XO project team surveyed over 800 4th and 5th graders this semester! We have another 8 schools lined up to survey the first couple of weeks in January. It has been a huge amount of work, but hopefully the data that we're collecting on these students BEFORE they receive their XOs and then afterwards will yield important information about the impacts of the XOs. I hope so anyway!

In case there are no blog postings before the holidays (I hope there will be though!), I hope you all have happy and safe holidays!

The First Time

Callen has mentioned wanting Santa to bring her something for Christmas was today. I think they were talking about it at her school today as there was a list on the board of what everyone wanted Santa to bring them.

Anyone care to guess what she said?

Memory of a 3 Year Old

Tonite I was wrapping some presents, with the help of Callen. I suggested she should make some cards for presents. She got excited about that. She made one card and I asked her who it was for. She said "Shelby" - a cousin that she last saw in May at the beach! Then, she made one for "Erin" - another cousin that she saw at the same time.

I am constantly amazed that she remembers her cousins, who she hasn't seen for 6 months. I'm glad she does. I hope that it will help keep her close to her extended family given that it is very likely she'll be an only child.

Thanksgiving

Late afternoon on Thanksgiving, we took a walk around a lake in our neighborhood. Here's Callen feeding the swans in the lake and a few other pix from our walk and Thanksgiving. It was a gorgeous late afternoon!

Belated Birthday Pix

I finally downloaded pix from Callen's birthday and her party. Everyone had a great time at the Kids Gym.

Movie Time

A friend of ours took Callen out today for a few hours, so Bo and I took advantage and went to see a matinee today. We saw Four Christmases. It was cute but not a great movie. However, when you don't get to see movies often since your child was born, a cute movie is ok. Plus, it is a Christmas movie! I love going to see movies!

Awake at 4 AM

You'd think I would be able to sleep in a little this AM. I don't have to be at school early to survey for the XO project, I don't have class today, and I'm planning to work at home. But, n-o-o-o-o! I woke up at 4 AM thinking about all the other things I needed to do today to get ready for tomorrow and things I want to work on today.

Let's hope it is a productive day today!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.